Well, I think most of you that read my blog know that I am currently a part of LCC Biggest loser. I took my eyes off the prize for a while. I started letting some old habits creep in. For me, this weight challenge is more than losing weight. It is a struggle with self/flesh. The struggle lies deep in the grey matter of my brain, the memories, learned behavior, hurt. Someday I will try to put into words the hurt and negative thinking that comes with my body image, but for now I wanted to blog about Pastor Steve's sermon and how God used it today as a reminder.
On Sunday Pastor Steve talked about Peter walking on the water toward Jesus. We all know the story well. But Steve talked about how Jesus chastised Peter for not believing in Him.
Here is the text: Matthew 14:27-32 Amplified
27But instantly He spoke to them, saying, Take courage! I AM! Stop being afraid!
28And Peter answered Him, Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.
29He said, Come! So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and he came toward Jesus.
30But when he perceived and felt the strong wind, he was frightened, and as he began to sink, he cried out, Lord, save me [from death]!
31Instantly Jesus reached out His hand and caught and held him, saying to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt?
32And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
I can just imagine Peter being excited and all gong ho, just like I was when I first started biggest loser and lost 3 pounds the first week. Then Peter "perceived and felt the strong wind." How many times have I let life around me take my focus off Jesus. In the context of weight loss I have often looked at what others were "able" to eat and felt like shouting "NOT FAIR!!" I love that Jesus not only reached out and saved him, he held him. Peter was scared and Christ calmed Peter as well as the sea. BUT, then Christ told Peter his faith was weak. Pastor Steve pointed out that Jesus did not say "good effort" or "you almost made it" or "at least you tried." It impacted me in the area of my fleshly struggle with food. When I'm remembering to keep my eyes on what God wants for me, his temple, I may trip a bit but I continue walking forward. When my eyes are on the world around me, I start to go down. Lack of confidence causes me to want to give up. So I say to myself. Have faith, Philippians 1:6 (New International Version) being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ. I need to do better than "good effort" I need to trust that through Christ I can do all things. That this flesh battle needs to be given to the Lord of my life. The great thing is, when I have days where I feel like I'm falling deep into the water, Christ is there to reach out to me and hold me.
One last verse. 1 Corinthians 9:24 (New Living Translation)
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! I'm running to win. Not the race to be skinny, but to give my all to Christ. To turn to Him in weakness. To honor Him with my words and DEEDS. To be more like Christ. To watch Him make something beautiful out of my life.
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3 comments:
I am the same way. I need to keep my eyes on hom instead of looking around. It is far too easy to fall into those old habits. I appreciate your application to Sundays message. I can use that!
What a great post! This touches on how I perceive so many things in life too as well as food! So many of us (if not all of us) continue to take it back and then need to surrender it all over again! I wish my head would finally get it and my heart would leave it at the feet of Jesus for Him to deal with! You know what I mean? Great post Karen! Thanks!!
Can't wait to hear about your trip. I am crossing my fingers that you will blog about it with pictures. Wink!
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